Perhaps one of the most wonderful things about a community is rallying behind causes. We were initially envisioning helping at a children's hospital but after typhoon "ondoy" (typhoon parma) hit and many homes and lives were destroyed, we felt it natural to be part of the healing process. We pooled some of our funds together, along with donated items, and distributed them throughout two depressed communities that didn't receive as much press or publicity as the others. We put together care packages consisting of rice, a few canned goods, crackers, and snacks enough for a hundred and fifty families.
To be honest distribution of goods as a one time event doesn't excite me. In fact I sense a spirit of competition and entitlement and less empowerment and uplifting of spirits. People get caught up on who got something or who didn't get anything. There's also very little relationship building. This was a special circumstance though because people's immediate needs have to be met after a disaster such as this.
We visited a community where the waters reached so high that it went passed the roofs of their homes. They simply had to run. For a moment I sensed their panic as I envisioned them climbing the 9 foot concrete wall with their children. Not having time to worry about their possessions but simply fighting to survive. I wondered how much trauma this had caused and the inner healing this would require.
Relief is the easy part. It's a handout. A month later though the buzz dies down. Communities need to begin rebuilding. Homes need to be erected. Who will stick with them as the work gets harder and the gratification is not so instant? What's the role of the church in re-building communities? I hope and pray that churches will continue to carry this burden as waters recede and life regains its sense of normalcy. If the church is to be fully human, reconcile all to God, and usher in the Kingdom of God on earth, then it must suffer alongside those who suffer.
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